Reed control for terry loom



1969 E. c. NICHOLS ETAL 3, 5

REED CONTROL FOR TERRY LOOM Sheet Filed March 31, 1967 IN VE NTOR. EDWARD CNICHOLS STANLEYCTIERNHN ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1969 E. c. NICHOLS ETAL I REED CONTROL FOR TERRY LOOM I N V E N TOR EDWARD QNICHOLS STANLEY CTIERNRN Sheet Filed March 31, 1967 ATTORNEY 1969 E. c. NICHOLS ETAL 3,425,

REED CONTROL FOR TERRY LOOM Sheet 3 of 5 Filed March 31, 1967 --4 .A INVENTOR.\/

EDWARD CNICHOLS m N Y E E N R O C T Y T E A L A T S W a Y B E. c. NICHOLS ETAL 3,425,458

REED CONTROL FOR TERRY LOOM Feb. 4, 1969 Sheet Filed March 31, 1967 I N V EN TOR EDWARD GNICHOLS STANLEY C-TIERNAN I 1969 E. c. NICHOLS ETAL 3, 5,

REED CONTROL FOR TERRY LOOM Sheet 5 of 5 Filed March 31, 1967 SN R m m C I E W E W VWE N A M [W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A variable beat-up mechanism having toggle-joint linkage for positive reed control during terry cycles and adjusting means to alter selectively the terry-loop height.

Background of the invention This invention relates to looms for weaving terry fabrics and more particularly to positively driven placement means for offsetting the reed a predecided distance during partial beat-ups. A simplified means is disclosed for varying the offset distance of the reed to change the terry height being woven.

In reed control motions for terry in the prior art, the mechanism needed to accomplish the required movement has been complicated and cumbersome. It has been necessary to add a considerable weight to the reciprocating swords thereby increasing power requirements in overcoming forces of inertia. Such a mechanism is shown in US. Patent No. 3,136,342 where an offsetting lever is pivotally supported near the base of the sword and reciprocates therewith while carrying the reed upon its upper end. Numerous other devices such as that shown in US. Patent No. 2,625,956 provide means by which the reed is pivotally supported from above which raises the center of gravity of the moving sword with many undesirable results. The instant invention overcomes these disadvantages with lightweight simplified mechanism while providing means for making easy adjustment to change the beat-up distances.

Summary of the invention In the formation of terry fabric it is the usual practice to insert and partially beat-up a series of filling picks and upon the succeeding pick to fully beat-up all picks to the fell. The extent of warp yarn separating the fell and the initial partially beat-up pick is a prime factor in producing terry loops of any desired height. It is therefore necessary to control very accurately the amount by which the reed is offset from its full beat-up position. In addition to this there are further requirements which involve increasing the loom speed while reducing the power usage to obtain economics in operation.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a reed control device which shall be positive in its action and result in the production of uniform material over extended periods of use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a control device to reciprocate with the loom sword which shall be of reduced weight and will present a lower center of gravity than those previously known.

It is a further object ofthe invention to provide simpli- 3,425,458 Patented Feb. 4, 1969 fied adjusting means for reed control mechanism to vary the height of the terry loops to be formed.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described by reference to a specific embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the mechanism affixed to the left-hand sword as viewed from within the loom;

FIG. 2 shows the upper portion of FIG, 1 somewhat enlarged with the reed in it full beat-up position;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 with the reed position for partial beat-up;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation partially in section of the driving cam and terry shaft as viewed from the left;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of the drive release means in a position differing from that shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the mechanism in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the adjusting mechanism for varying the extent of reed offset as shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of FIG. 9.

Description of the preferred embodiment The mechanism is shown and will be explained in the condition for weaving a three-pick terry, where repeating cycles of two partial beat-ups followed by a full beat-up are performed in making a common terry fabric. Other terry weaving conditions are possible by changing the timing of the mechanism shown herein.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, a continually rotating shaft 20 has an enclosed cam 21 keyed to rotate therewith. The shaft 20 in this instance serves also as the harness cam shaft which is rotated to complete one full revolution for each three picks inserted by the loom. Two base members 22 and 23 may rest upon the framework with one end of the shaft 20 journaled horizontally through base member 22. Shaft brackets 24 and 25 are fastened to the upper ends of the members 22 and 23, respectively, and support a fixed shaft 26 therebetween. A cam follower arm 27 is pivotally held upon the shaft 26 and carries near its lower end a cam follower roller 28 which maintains continual contact with the cam 21. A stud 29 fastened to the lower end of the arm 27 extends generally horizontally and will oscillate through an are as the roller 28 follows the cam 21 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

A driving arm 30 has a longitudinal slot 31 through which the stud 29 protrudes. The rearwardly extending end of arm 30 is pivotally connected with a double armed lever 32 (FIGS. 6 and 7). The lever 32 is keyed to a terry shaft 33 which extends the full width of the loom and is supported for oscillation by brackets 34 bolted to loom uprights 35 (only one shown) (FIG. 9). A latch member 36 (FIGS. 5 and 7) is held by a stud 37 centrally of the arm 30 with a lip portion 38 movable to a position to contact the stud 29 when in its extreme forward position. A spring 39 will bias the latch 36 downwardly or into locking relationship with the stud 29 and a releasing wire 40 may be raised by'any means to disconnect the latch when so desired.

When the latch 36 is lowered, the arm 27 will be pivoted and, through the arm 30, the lever 32 and shaft 33 will oscillate between the full-line position and the dotted line position in FIG. 5. The cam 21 is timed to place the lever 32 in its forward position for one pick by the loom and in its rearward position for two picks in accordance with the three-pick terry formation. Between units of terry weave and for certain pattern formations it is often necessary to do plain weaving in which no terry loops are drawn. By raising the latch 36, the roller 28 and arm 27 may pivot with the stud 29 moving freely in the slot 31 without oscillating the terry shaft 33. Any patterning means (not shown) may be used to raise and lower the wire 40 to actuate the latch 36. A shaft stop arm 41 may be clamped to the shaft 33 and permit movement only between adjustable bumpers 42 and 43 (FIG.

The reed control mechanism to be driven by the shaft 33 comprises duplicate sets of parts for controlling the reed at both ends. It is believed to be necessary to explain only the one on the left-hand side for a complete understanding of the operation.

Upon the left-hand end of the shaft 33 is keyed an adjusting lever 44 having a straight slot 45 extending radially from the shaft 33 (FIG. 9). A lengthwise adjustable link 46 is pivotally fastened within the slot 45 by one end and by the other end to a right angled lever 47 pivotally supported on the upright 35 by a stud 48. The movement afforded the lever 47 may be easily varied by changing the position of the link 46 along the slot 45. A rigid connecting rod 49 is fastened at one end to the arm 50 of the lever 47 and extends upwardly adjacent the left-hand sword 51 (FIG. 1).

The upper end of the rod 49 is fastened to a first arm 52 of a bell crank lever 53 which is pivotally supported upon the sword 51 by a mounting bracket 54. The second arm 55 of the lever 53 is forked to support both ends of a stud 56 which pivots one end of a connecting link 57 (FIG. 4). The other end of link 57 pivots upon a stud 58 retained in the forked lower end 59 of a reed lever 60. The reed lever 60 has an upper end 61 formed to match and carry a reed support 62 which extends across the loom to a similar reed lever (not shown). A reed 63 is secured to the forwardly directed face of the reed support 62 and will be pivotally supported thereby. The reed lever 60 pivots at a point intermediate its ends 59 and 61 upon a stud 64 supported in a boss 65 carried by the sword 51.

In operation, the rotating cam 21 will oscillate the lever 32 and terry shaft 33 forward for one pick and backward for two picks. This motion will lower the connecting rod 49 for one pick and raise it for two. By raising the rod 49, the bell crank lever 53 will pivot to the position shown in FIG. 3 and, by the link 57, the reed lever 60 will pivot the reed 63 to an offset position or one angular to the sword 51. As the sword is reciprocated forward and back twice the reed 63 will be in a position to effect two partial beat-ups to a predetermined point relative to the fell. This predetermined point may be changed readily by moving the link 46 along the slot 45. Now as the rod 49 is lowered, the lever 53 will pivot downwardly and the reed lever 60 will move the reed 63 to a forward position or in line with the sword and upon the forward reciprocation a full beat-up will occur. The toggle joint linkage of the link 57 and levers 53 and 60 provides a positive reciprocating movement to the reed relative to the sword which will control the partial beat-up in an accurate manner and will result in terry material of high quality.

A pivot locking device is provided to restrain the reed lever 60 against backlash forces as the reed beats-up. The forces of momentum at the time of beat-up may tend to pivot the reed lever 60 and, should there be any looseness at the pivotal points, inaccurate beat-up could occur. A U-shaped bracket 66 is fastened securely to the sword 51 in a position adjacent the arm 55 of the lever 53. The free arm 67 of the bracket 66 supports one end of a stud 68 extending generally horizontally inwardly of the bracket 66 (FIG. 4). A locking link 69 is pivotally supported on a pin 70 extending from an ear 71 formed on the lower end 59 of the lever 60. The link 69 is bifurcated vertically with legs 72 and 73 extending forwardly (FIGS. 2 and 4). The legs 72 and 73 have matching slots 74 (only one shown) longitudinally extending through which the stud 68 extends and by which the link is slidably supported. The stud 68 being stationary relative to the sword 51 will allow the link 69 to slide within the confines of the slot 74 as the reed lever 60 is pivoted to the two beat-up positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A pin 75 extends between the ends of the legs 72 and 73 thus closing the opening therebetween.

The arm 52 of the bell crank lever 53 has a lug 76 extending upwardly (FIG. 4) with a stud 77 and spherical bearing member 78. The bearing 78 is threaded into a lock link cam 79 having a wedge shaped upper end 80 with two arcuated sides 81 and 82. The end 80 is projected upwardly through the link 69 and between the stud 68 and pin 75 which together form a collar about the end 80. The wedge 80 will assume the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 relative to the stud 68 and pin 75 when the mechanism is in the beat-up positions. The wedge 80 will be moved by the arm 52 and, as a beat-up takes place, the wedge will act to lock the stud 68 and pin 75 in fixed separation should any looseness be present in the upper linkage to the reed lever 60.

With the instant invention, positive linkage is provided to control the angularity of the reed and sword when partial beat-ups are to be made. The reed may be preset to take a particular angular position for the partial beatups and, with an easy adjustment, the angular position may be varied at will.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a loom for weaving terry fabric in repetitive cycles, each of said cycles including a series of partial beat-ups followed by a full beat-up, reed control mechanism which comprises:

(a) a reciprocating sword mounted in said loom,

(b) a reed lever fixed to said sword and movable therewith having an upper end and a lower end,

(c) said reed lever being pivotally supported intermediate said ends,

(d) a reed lever fastened to said upper end,

(e) toggle joint linkage coupled to said lower end to reciprocate said reed angularly relative to said sword,

(f) a bell crank lever pivotally secured to said sword,

(g) a link member connecting a first arm of said bell crank lever and said lower end,

(h) oscillating drive means connected with said toggle joint linkage for providing timed reciprocating movement to said reed in accordance with said repetitive cycles,

(i) a rigid connecting rod pivotally secured between a second arm of said bell crank lever and said oscillating drive means, and

(j) an adjusting means for controlling the extent of angular movement of said reed relative to said sword.

2. The reed control mechanism according to claim 1 which further includes:

(a) a shaft forming a part of said oscillating drive means and supported to oscillate in a fixed arc,

(b) a continually rotating cam,

(c) an adjusting lever for said adjusting means secured to and extending radially from said shaft,

(d) said adjusting lever having a radially directed slot therethrough,

(e) a pivotable lever supported on said loom being fastened to said connecting rod, and (f) an adjustable link having one end fastened to said pivotable lever and a second end adjustably fastened along said radially directed slot for varying the extent of movement transmitted to said connecting rod. 3. The reed control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein a reed pivot lock means for restraining said reed lever against backlash forces at the instant of partial beatup and a full beat-up is provided which comprises:

(a) a restricting collar member carried by said lower end of the reed lever, and (b) an arcuated wedge member pivotally fastened to said second arm of said bell crank lever and adapted to be projected partially through said collar member and restrained thereby.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Brown 139-27 Hrdina 13926 Herard et a1 139-26 Sippel 13926 Carter 139 27 Short 139-26 Burgess 139-26 JAMES KEE CHI, Primary Examiner. 

